Working Draft
May 2009
International House of Blues Foundation® (IHOBF)
IHOBF Cultural Journeys Extended Learning Activity:
Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions
“Make A New Suit” Art Activity
Clockwise from top left: Allison “Tootie” Montana, Big Chief,
Yellow Pocahontas, 1990; Howard Miller, Second Chief, Creole
Wild West, 1993; Richard Turner, Wildman, 9th Ward Hunters,
1990; Victor Harris, Big Chief, Fi Yi Yi, 1993
Images by Michael P. Smith. © The Historic New Orleans Collection.
The above images have been provided courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
and may not be reproduced without the permission of The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Working Draft
May 2009
International House of Blues Foundation (IHOBF)
IHOBF Cultural Journeys Extended Learning Activity:
Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions
“Make A New Suit” Art Activity
Resource Pak
This activity is related to the content of the IHOBF-New Orleans Cultural Journeys Extended
Learning Activity: Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions with a focus on the design and creation of
a Mardi Gras Indian “suit.” As a follow-up activity to the Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions
artist visit to the classroom, participating classrooms design and create their own Mardi Gras Indian
suits. Each classroom works together as a group to construct 1 suit out of cardboard, paper, found
objects, materials from nature, and other items traditionally used to make these suits (note: this
activity does not involve sewing; created suits are decorative only and are not meant to be worn).
Please note: This resource has been designed to support classrooms participating in IHOBF’s
Cultural Journeys Program but can be adapted for other circumstances.
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Activity Description:
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Project Resources:
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III.
Pre-Activities: Artist Visit to Classroom, Classroom Discussion & Student Assignment
“Make A New Suit” Art Activity
Mardi Gras Indian Suit Key Terms Listing (Attachment I)
Diagram of Mardi Gras Indian Suit (Attachment II)
Color reproductions of Mardi Gras Indian Suits (Attachment III-IX)
Cultural Journeys Extended Learning Activity: Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions
Learning Resource (provided separately by IHOBF)
Additional Resources:
Mardi Gras Indians by Michael P. Smith (Gretna: Pelican Publishing Co., 1994).
Roots of Rhythm Teacher’s Guide, available for download at: http://www.ihobf.org
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The development of the Cultural Journeys Extended Learning
Activity: Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Drumming Traditions and
related “Make A New Suit” Art Activity was supported by:
© 2009 International House of Blues Foundation, Inc. Limited reproduction for educational use only is permitted.
Working Draft
May 2009
“Make A New Suit” Art Activity
Activity Description
IHOBF’s “Make A New Suit” Art Activity is related to content in the Cultural Journeys Extended
Learning Activity: Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions (includes an artist visit to the classroom
and related learning resource). This activity focuses on the design and creation of a Mardi Gras
Indian “suit.” As a follow-up activity to the Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions artist visit to the
classroom, participating classrooms (led by their teacher) plan and assemble their own Mardi Gras
Indian suit. Each classroom works together as a group to construct 1 suit out of cardboard, paper,
found objects, materials from nature, and other items traditionally used to make these suits (note:
this activity does not involve sewing; created suits are decorative only and are not meant to be
worn).
The “Make A New Suit” Art Activity is comprised of two parts:
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Pre-Activities: Students first experience the artist visit component of the Cultural Journeys
Extended Learning Activity: Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions, where they will learn
about the history and traditions of Mardi Gras Indian culture with a focus on the design and
creation of Mardi Gras Indian suits. Following the artist visit, teachers conduct a follow-updiscussion highlighting content presented during the artist visit and then assign students the
task of procuring materials for use in creating a suit.
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“Make A New Suit” Art Activity: Art activity led by participating teacher where the classroom
group designs and creates 1 Mardi Gras Indian suit.
Please note: this resource refers to the Louisiana State Content Standards but can be aligned with
standards from any state. The Louisiana State Content Standards addressed:
Visual Arts: Creative Expression:
VA-CE-M1: Demonstrate art methods and techniques in visual representations based on
research of imagery.
VA-CE-H1: Produce works of art that successfully convey a central thought based on imagery,
ideas, feelings and memories.
VA-CE-H5: Produce imaginative works of art generated from individual and group ideas.
Visual Arts: Historical and Cultural Perspective
VA-HP-M3: Understand the meaning and significance of ideas, themes and messages in works
of art from the past and present.
VA-HP-H1: Analyze specific styles and periods of art in relation to prevailing cultural, social,
political and economic conditions.
Pre-Activities: Artist Visit Related to Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions
Extended Learning Activity; Classroom Discussion; and Student Assignment
Resources:
• Mardi Gras Indian Suit Key Terms Listing (Attachment I)
• Diagram of a Mardi Gras Indian Suit (Attachment II)
• Color reproductions of Mardi Gras Indian suits (Attachments III-IX)
• Cultural Journeys Extended Learning Activity: Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions
Learning Resource (provided by IHOBF)
© 2009 International House of Blues Foundation, Inc. Limited reproduction for educational use only is permitted.
1
Working Draft
May 2009
1) IHOBF Cultural Journeys Extended Learning Activity: Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions:
Artist Visit to the Classroom
This IHOBF program will be led by a Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief and focuses on Mardi Gras Indian
cultural traditions, including the creation of Mardi Gras Indian suits. The presentation will include
background information on Mardi Gras Indian culture and Mardi Gras Indian suits as well as handson learning activities for students.
2) Follow-Up Classroom Discussion & Student Assignment
Teachers lead a classroom discussion with their students that recaps the main talking points of the
artist visit and that draws on the Mardi Gras Indian Suit Key Terms Listing, the color reproductions
of Mardi Gras Indian suits, and IHOBF’s Cultural Journeys Extended Learning Activity: Exploring
Mardi Gras Indian Traditions Learning Resource. As part of the conversation, teachers should
discuss the open-ended process that Mardi Gras Indians typically follow when creating their suits
(see pg. 6 of the Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions Learning Resource) and the components of
a suit (using Attachment II for reference). Teachers should then engage their students in a dialogue
about possible themes, color schemes, and symbols for their classroom’s Mardi Gras Indian suit.
Once a theme or central focus has been identified, teachers assign students to collect materials
from nature or home that they would like to incorporate into their classroom suit.
Please note: Mardi Gras Indian suits are most often created from materials such as beads, stones,
jewelry, feathers, sequins, etc. as well as materials found in nature.
“Make A New Suit” Art Activity
Materials:
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Buttons
Beads
Feathers
Sequins
Stones
Jewelry
Rice, beans and noodles
All-purpose glue
Canvas
Found plastic buckets, jars or cups for paint and water *
Cardboard (sized 8 ½ x 11 inches or 4 x 6 inches)
Paper towels, paper plates and/or pallet pad sheets
Tool supplies: pencils, erasers and paint brushes *
Color supplies: pencils, colored pencils, crayons, and markers
Tempera paint *
Newspaper
Blank pieces of paper
Other materials determined by classroom or brought in by students for use in the project
* Optional depending on whether or not paint will be used in creating the Mardi Gras Indian suit
© 2009 International House of Blues Foundation, Inc. Limited reproduction for educational use only is permitted.
2
Working Draft
May 2009
Process: A well ventilated room with tables, chairs, and blackboard or demonstration board is
needed for this activity. Each student should be provided with a blank piece of paper and
pencils/crayons for use in considering or creating possible suit designs. Group workstations (one
workstation should be designated for each area of the suit) will be used as the activity develops.
Workstation size should be determined by the number of students assigned to create a particular
area of the suit. Workstations should include those items that will be used in creating a specific
section of the suit.
Please note: this project is intended to create a student-sized Mardi Gras Indian suit, not a full-size
adult suit. As part of the classroom project, teachers may select a student or students to use as a
guide when measuring for different components of the suit. Recommended dimensions for a suit are
as follows:
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Apron=no larger than 2 ½ feet wide by 3 1/2 feet tall
Cuffs=each cuff should be between 4 and 7 inches in length and stapled or otherwise
attached to replicate a wrist cuff
Boots=each boot should be between 4 and 8 inches in length and stapled or otherwise
attached to replicate an ankle cuff/boot
Headdress/Crown=12 to 18 inches high and stapled or otherwise attached to replicate a hat
or head wear.
Activity Sequence:
1) Write the following words on the blackboard and discuss them (see Attachment I for reference)
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Apron
Boots
Cuffs/Armbands
Crown
Staff (optional)
2) Determine the student groups that will construct the different suit components, using smaller
groups for smaller items (such as cuffs and boots) and larger groups for larger items (staff, crown,
and apron).
3) Finalize ideas and themes for suit. Once an agreed upon theme and color scheme has been
determined, ask each student to do a drawing/sketch of the particular area of the suit to which they
have been assigned. Students can begin to do a very simple linear drawing, not too much detail,
using the whole sheet of paper. The teacher and student group can determine which sketches will
work together best to form their suit.
4) Encourage students to create or use symbols/designs that relate to Mardi Gras Indian culture.
Some examples include: 1) Native American tribal scenes; 2) animals connected to Native American
culture like eagles, horses, and bulls; or 3) 3-dimensional abstract figures. If they have difficulty
identifying or creating images/designs, refer to the Mardi Gras Indian suit images included in the
Resource Pak to serve as an inspiration and to encourage consideration of the various materials that
might be used in conjunction with their ideas.
5) Once designs have been identified, student groups will transfer the selected designs to cardboard
or construction paper (for boots and cuffs). They will select preferred materials to adorn/cover their
pieces. Using glue to adhere materials, students will detail their pieces.
6) For larger suit pieces like the apron: students can either create individual pieces on cardboard/
construction paper that can later be affixed to the apron canvas, or students can be assigned to a
certain section of the apron canvas and create their pieces/designs directly on to the apron canvas.
© 2009 International House of Blues Foundation, Inc. Limited reproduction for educational use only is permitted.
3
Attachment I
IHOBF Cultural Journeys Extended Learning Activity:
Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions
“Make a New Suit” Art Activity
Mardi Gras Indian Suit Key Terms Listing
Apron - the decorated front and back portion of a Mardi Gras Indian suit that
covers the body.
Boots - two decorated attachments worn around the ankles and bottom legs of a
Mardi Gras Indian.
Cuffs/Armbands - two detailed attachments worn around the wrists and/or
forearm of a Mardi Gras Indian.
Crown - head piece (sometimes a mask) of a Mardi Gras Indian suit.
Staff - tall decorated stick/pole used to pass Mardi Gras Indian signals among
tribesman.
Suit - uniquely designed and created annual artwork of a Mardi Gras Indian. A suit
includes an apron, boots, cuffs, crown and staff. They are traditionally worn on
Mardi Gras Day, Super Sunday and St. Joseph’s Night. Suits may be created using
beads, stones, feathers, bottle caps, jewelry and other decorative materials.
© 2009 International House of Blues Foundation, Inc. Limited reproduction for educational use only is permitted.
Attachment II
IHOBF Cultural Journeys Extended Learning Activity:
Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions
“Make a New Suit” Art Activity
Diagram of a Mardi Gras Indian Suit
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Victor Harris, Big Chief, Fi Yi Yi, 1993
Image by Michael P. Smith. © The Historic New Orleans Collection.
1) Apron
3) Crown
2) Cuffs/Armbands
4) Staff
The above image has been provided courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
and may not be reproduced without the permission of The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Attachment III
Allison “Tootie” Montana, Big Chief, Yellow Pocahontas, 1990
Image by Michael P. Smith. © The Historic New Orleans Collection.
The above image has been provided courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
and may not be reproduced without the permission of The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Attachment IV
Howard Miller, Second Chief, Creole Wild West, 1993
Image by Michael P. Smith. © The Historic New Orleans Collection.
The above image has been provided courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
and may not be reproduced without the permission of The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Attachment V
Richard Turner, Wildman, 9th Ward Hunters, 1990
Image by Michael P. Smith. © The Historic New Orleans Collection.
The above image has been provided courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
and may not be reproduced without the permission of The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Attachment VI
Roy Vernado, Wild Magnolias, 1991
Image by Michael P. Smith. © The Historic New Orleans Collection.
The above image has been provided courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
and may not be reproduced without the permission of The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Attachment VII
Lionel “Dr. Bird” Oubichon, Medicine Man, White Eagles, 1985
Image by Michael P. Smith. © The Historic New Orleans Collection.
The above image has been provided courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
and may not be reproduced without the permission of The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Attachment VIII
Greg Sellers, Spy of the Yellow Pocahontas, 1982
Image by Michael P. Smith. © The Historic New Orleans Collection.
The above image has been provided courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
and may not be reproduced without the permission of The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Attachment IX
Marlon Sennette, Darryl Montana, Chantz Stevenson, and “Tootie” Montana, Yellow Pocahontas, 1993
Image by Michael P. Smith. © The Historic New Orleans Collection.
The above image has been provided courtesy of The Historic New Orleans Collection
and may not be reproduced without the permission of The Historic New Orleans Collection.